Gusty winds and low humidity in the forecast has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning from Monday afternoon through Monday evening for Carson City and surrounding counties.
The Red Flag Warning is from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes the following areas: Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Southern Washoe, Western Lyon, Churchill, Pershing, and Eastern Mineral counties in Nevada and far southern Lassen County in California. The warning was upgraded from a Fire Weather Watch at around 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Winds will be from the west, southwest 15-20 with gusts up to 35 mph and humidity between 10 to 15 percent, according to the weather service.
The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them, forecasters advise.
The National Weather Service suggests people avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting or campfires.
Meanwhile, the weather service has also issued at Lake Wind Advisory from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday for Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake. There is also a wind advisory from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday for Washoe Lake, Walker Lake, Stampede Reservoir, Frenchman Lake and Honey Lake in Lassen County. Forecasters advise people to check conditions before heading out and be prepared for a sudden increase in winds and wave heights. Consider postponing boating activities until a day with less wind.
Elsewhere in Nevada, the National Weather Service in Elko has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity for southeastern Humboldt County and northern Lander County, White Pine and Northeast Nye counties, Central Nevada-Toiyabe, Humboldt County, Elko County, northern Eureka and Lander counties north of I-80.
Forecasters advise people to follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.
